Lydia McElwee Exhibits Artwork in York College's Graphic Design Senior Exhibition

2012 Apr 16

Lydia McElwee of Reading will exhibit a culminating senior project in York College's Graphic Design Senior Exhibition, which will be on display from April 27 to May 28 in York College Galleries. McElwee is the daughter of Donna and Joseph McElwee. McElwee's senior project is a soft-cover book and bookmarks that illustrate and describe everyday hand gestures called "What Do Your Hands Say?" She designed her project using photography, hand-drawn elements, Adobe Photoshop and Indesign CS5. "I created this book because I've always talked with my hands and others talk with their hands," she said. "Tt is a hidden communication that I pick up on a lot, and I thought others should recognize the messages they are sending with their hands. I think hands are beautiful things and should have proper recognition," said McElwee.

Graphic design majors present thematically cohesive bodies of work showcasing the skills and techniques they have acquired at the College before leaving to pursue careers as professional artists and designers. The students work collectively during their final semester to refine their creative vision and learn to present themselves and their work in a professional manner. This process culminates with an exhibition of their work and Senior Portfolio Presentations.

Located in southcentral Pennsylvania, York College offers more than 50 baccalaureate majors in professional programs, the sciences and humanities to its 4,600 undergraduate students. The College also offers master's programs in business, education and nursing. A center of affordable academic excellence, York is dedicated to the intellectual, professional and social growth of its students. The College helps them develop a concrete plan to attain academic growth and career success; encourages them to try in the "real world" what they learn in the classroom; and prepares them to be professionals in whatever career they pursue.